Mold exposure can cause adverse reactions

News-Times, The (Danbury, CT)

Published
7:00 pm EST, Thursday, March 17, 2005

The question is, when does mold become a problem for human beings? As stated in many scientific publications mold can be a significant cause of allergic disease. Individuals with a weakened immune system, the very young, the very old, and individuals with allergies or respiratory problems who have had a significant exposure to toxic mold can suffer many different reactions from their exposure.

Mold spore exposure can occur through inhalation, ingestion and skin contact. People are usually exposed to these spores long before recognizing that a problem exists. Individuals can experience a range of symptoms from mild allergic reactions, increased asthma attacks, to more severe effects including opportunistic infections. When individuals complain about scratchy throats, find it hard to breath, or develop eye irritation, a mold may be the source of the problem. While not as common, it is possible that even a single heavy exposure

to mold could lead to Organic Dust Toxic Syndrome, Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis, or other immunologic effects.

One of the more dangerous elements associated with mold is mycotoxin;

secondary chemicals produced by fungi. As the name implies, they cause serious health problems issues to those who are exposed. For instance, ingestion of

aflotoxin B1, the most well-known and studied mycotoxin, is known to cause liver cancer. There is also evidence that exposure to mycotoxins can cause lung cancer, acute or chronic nervous system damage, and endocrine effects.

So why are we hearing more about mold problems these days? Newer building techniques have led to "tighter" homes, or homes less susceptible to drafts and air exchange. While this represents an energy savings to homeowners, it also presents

a double-edged sword to their health

considerations. When mold finds a good environment to thrive, the home - young or old - can present serious risks to the unsuspecting homeowner.

For mold to thrive, it requires two

prerequisites. First, there must be a food source, such as wood - a major component of most people's houses. The second

prerequisite is a relative humidity level greater than 70 percent. Most houses that have mold problems also have some type of water damage. It can sometimes be traced back to building materials getting wet during construction in new housing or water leaks in any type of housing. Where these two prerequisites exist, the mold spores that slip into a house when a door or window is open will grow, producing more spores. Once mold settles in, it can become very expensive to remove.

How do you handle mold exposure in a house or building? The first step is to have the house tested. As recommended in scientific literature, airborne sampling, as part of an overall visual inspection of the house, has been shown to be the most effective way to determine the overall

fungal contamination versus less reliable surface spot sampling. With an air sampling report in hand, you as the homeowner are able to make rational decisions about your next step, which may or may not involve remediation. Since remediation often includes the removal of materials, such as affected walls or carpets, it is critical to know where the "hot spots" are within a house to save money and identify trouble areas. If you have any water leaks, fix them immediately! Mold can grow rapidly in the right environment.

Information provided by Advanced Mold Testing, LCC, of Wilton. Contact the company at (203) 762-7550.